Sep 27, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Chase Daniel (4) throws a pass prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions are reportedly not done trading quarterbacks this offseason.
The Detroit Lions have had an eventful offseason. The new regime of head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes granted quarterback Matthew Stafford’s wish of a trade elsewhere by sending him to the Los Angeles Rams, receiving Jared Goff and draft capital in return. Apparently the Lions are not done trading quarterbacks.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Lions have had trade talks with teams regarding their backup quarterback, Chase Daniel.
Lions: Chase Daniel considered the perfect mentor for young quarterbacks
Schefter mentions in the above tweet that he is viewed as an “ideal mentor for young quarterbacks.” In Daniel’s most recent stints, he was teammates with the likes of Carson Wentz on the Philadelphia Eagles (2016) and Mitchell Trubisky with the Chicago Bears (2018-19).
Not only that, but Daniel is viewed as a solid veteran backup option for teams. In his 11-year career, Daniel has started in five games and owns a 2-3 record. Daniel has thrown for 1,694 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions on a 68.2 career completion percentage.
Last offseason, the Lions signed Daniel to a three-year, $13.1 million contract. Daniel carries a $5.3 million cap hit for the upcoming season. If the Lions were to trade him, they would only eat $1.5 million in dead money and subsequently save $3.8 million in cap space, per Over the Cap.
With Daniel on the trading block, it will remain to be seen what the Lions will have planned for the backup position with Goff as their starter for 2021. There are obviously plenty of teams with young signal callers starting under center for the upcoming season that feel that Daniel would be an asset in their quarterback room. But how much would they be willing to surrender to acquire him? That question will be answered when a team reaches a final agreement with the Lions.